Love Bytes welcomes to their blog author Skylar M. Cates.

Skylar kindly answered some questions asked by our reviewer Cinnamon and she also brought a giveaway for our readers!

Welcome Skylar 🙂

*The title was brilliant. At what stage of the writing did you come up with it?

Thank you! I came up with the title Rim Shot fairly late. The book actually had an earlier title that I had to reject. I’d originally titled it The Harder They Fall, but another book in the M/M romance world— and this happens more often than a reader might realize— was published with that very title while I was still writing my book.

Back to the drawing board, I spent many hours debating a new title. I joked to a friend about calling it Jump Shot, and I played with a few basketball terms until Rim Shot flashed through my brain. Romance readers will understand the sexy undertones to the title, but I assumed Amazon would have no clue about it, which I found really amusing. I kept it Rim Shot.

 

*Where do you get your inspiration? Do you use pictures or videos when forming your characters?

I don’t use videos or pictures. Many authors find that inspiring, but I prefer the image of the character in my head to any on a screen. That said, I might find plot bunnies from pictures. For Rim Shot, the original idea started from a news article that I stumbled upon about mistakes in the medical world. If I say more it might be a spoiler, so I will leave it there.

For me it is less about the physical image; it is about the type of story that I’m longing to tell. For instance, in The Guy from Glamour, I wanted to do a story about somebody in the military, but I also had a vague idea of having a big moment that was similar to the theme in “The Gift of the Magi.” I liked the theme of sacrifice and romance together, so I had a theme in my head when I began the book. My first book Exposed was inspired by reading a lame “secret baby” book, where the secret was forgiven in one paragraph (one, measly paragraph!). That made me so frustrated, I decided to write my own “secret” book and make my character work for his redemption. Poor Rafe.

Maybe I’m not as much a visual person as those who use photos, but most of my inspiration starts with the theme or a trigger of some sort that gets me going.

 

 

*I do love your sex scenes. How is your writing process? I know some writers enjoy, some dread writing sexytimes. What about You?

I LOVE sex scenes! Maybe that comes across to my readers? My favorite part, though, might be creating the unresolved sexual tension that occurs before the scene. I believe if a writer pays attention to the emotional elements of the scene before they have sex, then the actual sex scene is heightened.

Once a friend gave me a good tip on sex scenes too. She reminded me that even if you are only in one person’s point of view, you can still show the reactions of the other person. The idea of action and reaction guides my sex scenes. Most importantly, each scene is different based on the individuals and the plot. If I find myself simply going through the motions and not feeling anything, then I won’t use that sex scene. I always question: who is this person? How would he be in bed? What does he love in bed? What might he be afraid of? I take a lot of notes. What happens in the bedroom does matter.

 

*Do you have any connection with basketball?

Strangely, I was a basketball coach for a private school for about five minutes, lol. I say strangely because I am rather short and had never played the sport. I was tossed into the situation due to the original coach leaving the school. The team spirit and hardworking girls were a joy to interact with, but I never did learn the intricacies of the game. I was more like a driver and glorified cheerleader.

I relied on several friends for help with the basketball sections in Rim Shot.

*How do you research? Do you prefer looking for information online or use more personal help?

I use a combination of online information and personal help. I don’t fully trust material online to be accurate. For example, Rim Shot is set in Indiana. I have visited there several times, but it was many years ago that I visited, and the information needed to be researched. I did basic research online. Then I asked around for some personal help. I found three different authors who lived/had lived in Indiana. I asked them questions and tried to make certain it was accurate. Small things (like saying pop and not soda) always factor in with setting.

 

*What are you working on at the moment?

Dreampspinner just contacted a story of mine for their Dreampun Desire line. It’s tentatively titled Rocking the Cowboy. Yep, it’s about a rock star and a cowboy. I’m in the editing stage for it.

Since Hurricane Irma, my plans for my Christmas novella were knocked for a loop!

It’s a really fun story, though, so I’m trying to change it to a story where they meet at Christmastime, but the story ends at Valentine’s Day. I hope to self-publish it in February.

Finally, I have another college age story about a long distance swimmer. It’s got some angst to it because the swimmer has a disastrous affair with a coach. No idea when it will be done, but I’m excited for it.

 

Thanks for hosting me!

 

BLURB:

Can college roommates go from friends to lovers?

Kyle: I’m confident that with hard work, my position as point guard can carry me from rural Indiana to the NBA. I also know I’m attracted to guys, but admitting it might disappoint my father, who is all I have in this world. I have big dreams, so I’ll stay in the closet. As long as my life remains scandal-free, I have a shot.

Micah: My large family can’t spare the money to help with my education, but that won’t stop me from studying medicine. I needed to get out of the house I was sharing with my ex before I went insane. Luckily, I heard about a guy looking for a roommate. Living with a straight jock won’t be easy, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

 

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance, especially ones that are both steamy and emotionally satisfying. She is quite happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her best-selling novels feature strong, passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic men are challenged with emotional situations. Skylar’s character-driven series will often feature close-knit families, animals, and loyal friendships being tested.

 

Skylar dreams about spending her days writing novels, walking along the beach, and listening to good live music. She also dreams of eating dessert without weight gain and robots cleaning her house. But she knows she can’t have it all… yet. Although lately the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar still loves to chat with people from all around the globe.

 

Skylar can be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on her blog.

My Books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkylarMCates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylar.cates

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cxODzT

One commenter today will win an e-book from my backlist